Building accessible to persons

ABSTRACT

A building accessible to persons, comprising at least one wall element at least substantially made of corrugated material, as well as at least two profiled connecting elements for fitting the wall element therebetween, each connecting element comprising a profile having an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section for receiving edges of the wall element between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section.

The invention relates to a building that is accessible to persons.

Such a building is generally known. In practice there appears to be a growing need for buildings that can be constructed in an efficient and easy manner, using as few components as possible, at locations anywhere in the world. Consequently, a drawback of the known building is the complex construction method and the comparatively costly manufacture and assembly of the components used therefor.

The object of the invention is to provide a building that can be constructed in a simple and elegant manner, wherein the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art have been obviated, i.e. wherein a small number of components are used which can be assembled in a simple manner to form a building.

In order to accomplish that object, a building of the kind referred to in the introduction is characterised in that it comprises at least one wall element at least substantially made of corrugated material, as well as at least two profiled connecting elements for fitting the wall element therebetween, each connecting element comprising a profile having an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section for receiving edges of the wall element between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section. In a preferred variant, each connecting element comprises two profiles having an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section arranged on either side thereof for fitting two wall elements to each connecting element on either side thereof, wherein edges of one wall element are accommodated between the legs of one the U-shaped cross-section and edges of the upper wall element are accommodated between the legs of the other U-shaped cross-section. In this preferred variant, the connecting element is in particular mirror symmetrical with respect to a centre plane in the longitudinal direction of the connecting element. The building is built up of only two types of mating construction elements, therefore, viz. the aforesaid wall element, preferably of corrugated material wound in multiple layers, as well as the aforesaid connecting element comprising at least one profile having a U-shaped cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, a seal is provided in the U-shaped cross-section(s). The seal is in particular embodied as a flexible seal, such as a rubber O-ring or a rubber strip, so as to make the connection between the wall element and the connecting element liquid-tight and/or gastight.

In another preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, the legs of each U-shaped cross-section are of mutually different length. Usually the upper leg is longer and functions as an ideal guide and support for the edges of the wall element.

In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, the connecting elements and the wall element/elements are coupled together with a certain bias. In this way a strong building capable of withstanding high forces is obtained, whilst the liquid- and/or gas-tightness of the connection between the wall element/elements and the connecting elements is further increased.

In another preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, the connecting elements are provided with openings. This makes it possible to lead water, gas and/or electricity lines or the like through the openings and parallel to the wall element/elements. Furthermore this makes it possible to pass tensioning means through the openings. Said tensioning means are in particular tie rods or push rods, and the connecting elements and the wall element/elements can be coupled together with a certain bias, for example by tightening nuts on the rods.

In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, the connecting elements have a round or an angular cross-section. In other words, the building has a corresponding shape, such as a rectangular, a square, a triangular, a pentagonal, a circular or an elliptical cross-section.

In another preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, the connecting elements are at least substantially made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood or plastic material. If the connecting elements are made of a metal, it is preferable to select steel or (extruded) aluminium.

In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, the wall element is at least substantially built up of layers, each layer at least substantially being made up of a corrugated sublayer and a flat sublayer arranged on one side thereof, the layers being bonded together by means of an adhesive applied to the corrugations or crests of the corrugated sublayers. In particular, a corrugated sublayer forms the outer layer of the wall element, so that dirt from outside can deposit between the corrugations. In another preferred variant, a flat layer forms the outer layer of the wall element, so that the outer layer of the wall element is a smooth layer.

In another preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, the layers have at least substantially been selected from at least one material from the group consisting of fibre material, plastic material, rubber, metal, paper/cardboard and wood. The fibre material in particular comprises glass fibres, carbon fibres, mineral fibres and/or synthetic fibres. If wood is used, it is preferred to use two-ply, three-ply or multiply wood.

In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, the layers of paper/cardboard are impregnated, in particular with a resinous material. It is noted that in this connection the term “multilayer corrugated paper” is understood to mean corrugated paper made up of several glued-together layers of alternately flat and corrugated paper, and that in a flat shape. It is further noted that the term “paper” is usually used for lighter types of paper, whilst the term “cardboard” is frequently used for heavier types. Within the framework of this invention no limitations are intended as regards the type of material when the terms paper or cardboard are used.

In another preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, the connecting elements are provided with an inner liner on the side thereof that faces towards the inside of the building. Said inner liner is at least substantially made up of board material, such as boards of gypsum, wood, paper/cardboard or plastic.

In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the invention, said board material is mounted on inwardly facing edges of the connecting elements.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a wall element for use in a building according to the invention, wherein use is made of a rotatable winding mould, wherein layers of a strip of sheet material is passed over an outside contour of the winding mould while said winding mould being rotated, and wherein each layer is at least substantially made up of a corrugated sublayer and a flat sublayer arranged on one side thereof, which layers are bonded together via an adhesive applied to the crests of the corrugated sublayers. The wall element thus forms a transverse segment of the building, wherein transverse segments are fitted together by means of said profiled connecting elements. More in particular, the winding mould can rotate about a horizontal shaft, so that the wall elements can be wound one by one in a vertical plane. The horizontal shaft is in particular driven by a drive unit, such as an electric motor or a petrol or diesel engine.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to figures illustrated in the drawing, in which

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a building according to the invention;

FIGS. 2-4 show various views of a connecting element used in the building of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows the manner in which a wall element used in the building of FIG. 1 is connected to the connecting element of FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows a building 1 according to the invention which is accessible to persons, which building is built up of wall elements 2,3 that form transverse segments of the building, which wall elements 2,3 are connected together by means of section-shaped connecting elements 4, as will be explained in more detail yet hereinafter. The connecting elements 4 have a more or less round longitudinal section. The building 1 is provided with a plate-shaped inner liner 5, which is attached to the connecting elements 4 in a manner yet to be described in more detail hereinafter. The building 1 stands clear of the ground on a foundation, such as a wooden or concrete foundation 6.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic, perspective views of a corner detail of the section-shaped connecting element 4 of FIG. 1, whilst FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view thereof. The profiled connecting element 4 comprises two profiles 7,8 of U-shaped cross-section on either side for mounting the two wall elements 2,3 to both sides of the connecting element 4. Edges of one wall element 2 are received between the legs of one U-shaped cross-section 7 and edges of the upper wall element 3 are received between the legs of the other U-shaped cross-section 8. A seal of some kind, for example rubber O-rings, may be used in the U-shaped cross-sections 7,8 so as to provide a water/moisture-tight connection between the wall elements 2,3 and the connecting element 4. As shown, several openings 9 are provided in the “web” of the section-shaped connecting element 4. Water, gas and/or electricity lines or the like can be led through said openings. Furthermore, openings 9′ may be used for passing tie rods therethrough. By tensioning the tie rods, the connecting elements 4 and the wall elements 2,3 can be mounted together under a bias. As already said before, the connecting element 4 is provided on the side facing towards the inside of the building with an inner liner 5 in the form of a sandwich structure of wooden outside plates 10 with a corrugated metal core 11. The sandwich structure is mounted to an inwardly facing edge 12 of the connecting element 4. The sandwich structure is to that end provided with a groove 13. The space 14 between the upper legs of the U-shaped cross-sections 7,8 and the flange 15 may be filled with a sound-insulating or thermally insulating material. An additional profiled cross member 16 is provided at the corners (FIG. 4) for stiffening the connecting element 4. Such a cross member may also be used for creating an attic. The profiled connecting element 4 is provided with preformed screw holes 17, so that other constructional elements of the building 1 can be easily screwed or clamped down thereon or be attached thereto in any other way.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a web of corrugated material, for example corrugated steel, is wound from a supply roll onto a winding mould (not shown) with its end via a conveyor belt. By rotating the winding mould a desired number of times, for example one or more times, about a horizontal shaft by means of an electric motor and cutting the web of corrugated steel to the desired length, a steel wall element 2,3 having a round cross-section is formed, which can be axially removed from the winding mould and which forms a transverse segment of the building 1 that is accessible to persons. It is noted that in this case the transverse segment consists of two layers of corrugated steel, each layer being made up of a corrugated sublayer 18 and a flat sublayer 19 arranged on one side thereof, which layers are bonded together via an adhesive applied to the crests of the corrugated sublayers. A flat sublayer 19 or a corrugated sublayer 18 of the wall elements 2,3 forms the outer layer of the building 1.

It is noted that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but that it also extends to other preferred variants that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A building accessible to persons, characterised by at least one wall element at least substantially made of corrugated material, as well as at least two profiled connecting elements for fitting the wall element therebetween, each connecting element comprising a profile having an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section for receiving edges of the wall element between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section.
 2. A building according to claim 1, wherein each connecting element comprises two profiles having an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section arranged on either side thereof for fitting two wall elements to each connecting element on either side thereof, wherein edges of one wall element are accommodated between the legs of one the U-shaped cross-section and edges of the upper wall element are accommodated between the legs of the other U-shaped cross-section.
 3. A building according to claim 1, wherein a seal is provided in the U-shaped cross-section(s).
 4. A building according to claim 1, wherein the legs of each U-shaped cross-section are of mutually different length.
 5. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting elements and the wall element/elements are coupled together with a certain bias.
 6. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting elements are provided with openings.
 7. A building according to claim 5, wherein tensioning means are passed through said openings.
 8. A building according to claim 6, wherein water, gas and/or electricity lines or the like are led through the openings
 9. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting elements have a round or an angular cross-section.
 10. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting elements are at least substantially made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood or plastic material.
 11. A building according to claim 10, wherein the connecting elements are at least substantially made of steel or aluminium.
 12. A building according to claim 1 wherein the wall element is at least substantially built up of layers, each layer at least substantially being made up of a corrugated sublayer and a flat sublayer arranged on one side thereof, the layers being bonded together by means of an adhesive applied to the corrugations or crests of the corrugated sublayers.
 13. A building according to claim 12, wherein said wall element forms a transverse segment of a building.
 14. A building according to claim 12, wherein a corrugated sublayer forms the outer layer of the wall element.
 15. A building according to claim 12, wherein the layers have at least substantially been selected from at least one material from the group consisting of fibre material, plastic material, rubber, metal, paper/cardboard and wood.
 16. A building according to claim 15, wherein said fibre material comprises glass fibres, carbon fibres, mineral fibres and/or synthetic fibres.
 17. A building according to claim 15, wherein the layers of paper/cardboard are impregnated, in particular with a resinous material.
 18. A building according to claim 15, wherein said layers are at least substantially made of two-ply, three-ply or multiply wood.
 19. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting elements are provided with an inner liner on the side thereof that faces towards the inside of the building.
 20. A building according to claim 19, wherein said inner liner is at least substantially made up of board material.
 21. A building according to claim 21, wherein said board material is mounted on inwardly facing edges of the connecting elements.
 22. A method for manufacturing a wall element for use in a building according to claim 12 wherein use is made of a rotatable winding mould, wherein layers of a strip of sheet material is passed over an outside contour of the winding mould while said winding mould being rotated, and wherein each layer is at least substantially made up of a corrugated sublayer and a flat sublayer arranged on one side thereof, which layers are bonded together via an adhesive applied to the crests of the corrugated sublayers.
 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said winding mould is rotated about a horizontal shaft.
 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said horizontal shaft is driven by a drive unit. 